Cardinals in rough shape with Kyler Murray injury timeline
The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a dreadful campaign which saw head coach Kliff Kingsbury fired. The ACL timeline for Kyler Murray isn’t helping the cause for a rebound.
In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals were the last remaining unbeaten team. They then limped into the playoffs after going 4-6 down the stretch before being blown out in the NFC Wild Card game by the eventual-champion Los Angeles Rams, 34-11.
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For reasons unclear, the Cardinals extended general manager Steve Keim, head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray.
Fast forward one year, and both Keim and Kingsbury are unemployed. Meanwhile Murray is likely on the shelf for the first half of next season after sustaining a torn ACL during a Monday night loss in December against the New England Patriots. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, that’s the latest timeline:
“My understanding is he is going to take his time and make sure this thing is 100 percent right. He is young. He’s got a long career. He’s not going to rush, so do not be surprised if we don’t see him to start the season or maybe even by the midway point. This injury has to heal perfectly.”
While it makes sense for Arizona and Murray to give the injury ample time healing, it also complicates the future. The Cardinals are in a position of needing a new head coach. Although who wants to sign up for a bad roster, a hurt quarterback and a signal-caller that, when healthy, has yet to win a single playoff game or division title?
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Arizona will likely have to either pay a fortune for its new leading man — owner Michael Bidwell has never been known to throw money around. Either that, or hire a first-time coach who doesn’t have a ton of demand behind his name. It’ll be fascinating to see which route the Cards go, knowing they’re in one of the league’s best divisions.
As for Murray, the question of security going forward isn’t certain. As pointed out by Chuck Murray of Cards Wire, the team has a March 25 deadline to pick up Murray’s $36 million option. If they don’t, Murray’s dead cap is $16 million, whereas picking up the option sees the number explode to $59 million. While it’s highly unlikely Murray is anywhere but Arizona in 2023, it’s an escape hatch should new general manager Monti Ossenfort want to start anew.
Regardless, the Cardinals are in brutal position in the short term, and a tenuous one beyond.
